When to charge trolling motor battery?

[22E6441]

I have a good deep cycle battery, and I've used it once. It's down to 3/4 power now and I'm going to the cottage this weekend.

Should I charge it up now, or wait until I run it down to almost empty? Will partial charges hurt the battery?

 

[buddybarnhill]

Re: When to charge trolling motor battery?

i charge mine after every time i go out on the river and its usally at 70% and it hasnt hurt it yet now for about 4 years

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: When to charge trolling motor battery?

You can charge the battery. It won't hurt it. With lead acid batteries you don't want to let them die or get too low. That can stress the plates inside.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: When to charge trolling motor battery?

You always want to charge the battery back as soon as possible. The closer it stays to fully charged the less sulfating of the battery occurs.

What is your definition of 3/4 power?

 

[PolishPrince]

Re: When to charge trolling motor battery?

There is a float charger called Battery Minder that while keeping a battery charged during storage also de-sulfates the battery. My boat battery went down to 0.8 volts during the first winter. It had it to maintain the memory in the radio. That would kill most batteries but after bringing it up to 12.8 volts I kept the Battery Minder on it 24/7 for the next 2 months. The battery now holds a charge weeks at a time without breaking a sweat. You can maintain and condition multiple batteries as long as they're the same type (Deep Cycle and Deep Cycle - Starting and Starting - Gel Cell and Gel Cell, etc.)
I've made several "converts" down on the dock.

 

[flargin]

Re: When to charge trolling motor battery?

Remember, batteries are considered 50% discharged at 12V (that is only a .6v drop from fully charged)

dead is way above 11v.....

recharge....